There continues to be a strong need for substance abuse prevention and intervention in

Marshall County. The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses,

thefts, arrests, court cases, and medical/financial consequences of drug abuse continues

to negatively impact a large number of families in the community. To address the variety

of substance abuse issues impacting our community, the Marshall County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with the Youth Service Center (YSC) and other local agencies for a second year on Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours for the 8^th graders at North & South Marshall Middle Schools.  The co-chairs of the program were the Marshall County YSC Coordinator and County 4-H Youth Development Agent.

Truth and Consequences is an enrichment activity designed to show students the impact of getting involved with illicit and legal substances. Students role-played scenarios including possession of prescription drugs, possession of alcohol, drug paraphernalia, or illegal drugs, trafficking, etc. Depending on the scenario, students visited appropriate officials and/or agencies to experience the consequences of their behavior. This year’s events were possible with a wide variety of community partners including speakers from Teen Challenge, Marshall County schools, Health Department, Sheriff’s Department, Assistant County Attorney, District Judge, County Hospital, Department of Juvenile Justice & Court Workers, County Jail, local ministers, County Coroner, ASAP, and Regional Prevention Center. 

Representatives from local businesses, students’ parent/guardians, and the County FCS Agent served as “parents” to the youth and accompanied them as they visited the various agencies such as law enforcement, judges, school officials, hospital, and coroner.  371 eighth grade students participated in Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours to learn more about the physical, legal, financial, and emotional consequences of substance abuse. Over 118 community partners and adult volunteers participated in the two events as well with some of these working both programs. 

Parent/guardian and community volunteer evaluation data indicates that 56 strongly agreed or agreed substance abuse by youth is a problem in the community; 46 indicated it is easy for youth to get alcohol in the community; 47 indicated it is easy for youth to get drugs (both illegal & prescription) in the community; and all were split on that one reason why alcohol and drug use occurs in our community is that there are not enough activities for youth.

After the program, 58 parent/guardians and community volunteers signified they gained awareness of the program and impacts of substance abuse in the community.  With 59 of them noting they gained knowledge of the resources that are available for substance abuse in Marshall County.  23 parent/guardians indicated if they will use the information and resources from the program in the future.  With 22 parent/guardians noting due to Truth & Consequences they felt more comfortable and prepared to talk with their child about substance abuse.

Parent/guardian comments received day of and after included:

• “Thank you all very much for doing the Truth & Consequences scenarios…with 8^th graders.  (Her daughter) came home and told me about it without me even having to ask her!  She said it was very eye opening.  As a parent and school employee, I appreciate all the help I can get for our teenagers and preteens.”
• “I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate this program!  I think it is such a great thing and very beneficial!  I believe this will help students to think twice before making decisions.  I don’t how you could do it, but I think it would be great If every student has to visit the jail (station).  I could see the fear on their faces.  It was very informative and I hope you all continue to do this in the future!”

Volunteers also provided suggestions to take the program a step further.  Thoughts included financial (current/future) costs to the various charges; effects on potential career opportunities given various convictions; and even adding scenarios related to sexting/harassment.  The Co-Chairs are working towards implementing some of these suggestions.

With the growth of the opioid addictions and other illicit drug use on the rise, substance abuse prevention efforts will be needed in the foreseeable future.  Marshall County Extension Service will continue to provide such educational opportunities when possible.